Entertainment

How Intel Wants to Replace Your Cable Box

Intel Corp. is preparing to dive into web-based cable TV, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. According to that report, Intel's online TV subscription service may be available by the end of 2012.

According to the report, Intel wants to offer channel bundles modeled after cable and satellite providers' subscriptions. The multinational chip maker is also developing a set-top box to carry its TV service to users.

For several months, Intel has pitched the idea to media companies and has asked for rate cards. Intel has not secured a programming deal. If it does, the site will offer tough competition for traditional TV services.

Intel's launch may be delayed by the price of TV programming and a lack of bandwidth. In 2012, TV providers paid $40.7 billion in fees to cable channels, according to SNL Kagan.

Demand is high for live TV on laptops, but the current marketplace offers no legal way to easily watch TV live on the Internet.

There's speculation that several technology and electronics companies including Google and Apple have considered offering TV via the Internet, but none have yet done so. The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple, Google, Sony Corp. and Dish Network have talked to media companies about the possibilities of online bundles.

Google has began construction for its Google Fiber Optics project in Kansas City, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo. The company has yet to announce pricing for the 1 gigabit Internet service, but it has said the service will be 100 times faster than the average connection. Google plans to offer service to customers sometime during the first half of the year.

"It doesn't mean that we will offer TV service," said Google spokeswoman Jenna Wandres. "All we have said publicly is we will be offering one gigabit of internet service."

Would you pay to watch cable TV on your laptop? Tell us in the comments below.

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